scholarly journals English Language Teaching in KSA in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Positive Outcomes

2021 ◽  
pp. 147-159
Author(s):  
Reem A. Al-Samiri

The pandemic of 2020 was a watershed moment for all educators worldwide as schools and universities were forced to close their doors to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Thus, a new movement towards widespread e-learning emerged with unknown consequences for learners and educators alike. The situation in Saudi Arabia was no exception. The purpose of this study is to explore how English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning at the tertiary level in Saudi Arabia was impacted negatively and positively by the move to online learning. It reviews research published since the onset of the pandemic, with a specific focus on English language teaching at Saudi universities, to analyze the challenges faced by Saudi EFL teachers and learners since the shift to e-learning. One of the biggest challenges observed was students’ lack of motivation, which upon further review was found to be linked to other contributing factors, such as technological issues, inapt learning environments, and students’ mental health. This paper also examines the unforeseen positive outcomes resulting from the digital transformation, including the benefits of the flexibility of place and time and promotion of particular language skills. The current research synthesis will help contribute to the knowledge of online English teaching in the Saudi context.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-492
Author(s):  
Sabri Thabit Saleh Ahmed ◽  
Bushra Thabit Ahmed Qasem

The task of teaching and learning English as a foreign language is not an easy task as there are many factors that may contribute positively or negatively to its success. In the context of this study, most school-leavers have very poor English, especially when looking at their oral skills. This indicates that there are some problems that EFL learning and teaching encounter, and then such problems are reflected in students’ proficiency level. This study, therefore, explored the problems encountering EFL teaching and learning in Lahj primary and secondary schools to identify such problems and suggest some solutions that may help in improving English language teaching and learning in the concerned schools. Data were collected from 32 EFL senior teachers and supervisors of Lahj governorate. Findings showed that large classes, lack of teaching aids, teachers’ low proficiency in English, teachers’ limited experience with communicative language teaching, late beginning of learning English, lack of focus on oral communicative English, use of mother tongue in classroom, students’ low motivation and interference between English and Arabic are considered as major problems encountering English language teaching and learning in the concerned South Yemeni schools and contribute negatively to students’ proficiency level. The study has provided some recommendations that may help in improving EFL teaching and learning in the concerned schools and in Yemeni schools generally.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhak Bouslama ◽  
Fawzia Bouhass Benaissi

Intercultural competence (IC) has been promoted by many educationalists as the most exalted type of competence in modern foreign language teaching (FLT). Among the difficulties to incorporate IC into FLT can be due to the fact that teachers may not have sufficient knowledge on the concept. To test this hypothesis, we attempt to answer the following question: how do Algerian English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers perceive the concepts of culture and IC as well as the objectives of the intercultural approach (ICA) in English language teaching (ELT) contexts? The present study proceeds to analyze teachers’ knowledge, perceptions and understanding of the concepts of culture, IC and the ICA and seeks to identify any potential deficiencies that may hinder effective IC teaching. The main aim of the study is then to help teacher trainers establish training programs that address more efficiently targeted teachers’ needs with regard to IC teaching. This paper will hopefully assist in improving the implementation of IC into FLT classrooms. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with eight teachers and then analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that many EFL teachers displayed a lack of theoretical understanding concerning the ICA and its objectives, which may well impact negatively on their IC teaching practices. Teacher educators therefore need to focus more on updating EFL teachers’ on both the theoretical and practical levels that learners are today expected to grow as cultural mediators equipped with a set of skills rather than as native-like proficient language users.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Syeda Naureen Mumtaz ◽  
◽  
Dr.Uzma Quraishi ◽  

The study was attempted to explore as to what extent English language teaching in Pakistan has been able to develop language skills among the target learners. The researcher intended to evaluate the limit to which the textbook helps in generating competence of all four integrated skills, especially as laid down in the standards of the National Curriculum (2006). The purpose of this study was to create pragmatic awareness among learners, teachers and educational professionals, working in the field of English as Foreign Language. By method , it was a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were the tools used to elicit the data. The participants of this research were selected from public sector schools and organizations including, teachers, policymakers, curriculum developers, subject specialists, and students to examine the effectiveness of grade VIII’s English language textbook on students’ performance . For data analysis themes were developed, coded and summarized in a descriptive mode. The findings of this study reflected that the relevant textbook does not cater to the target learners’ future academic and professional language needs. As a solution to the problems while teaching and learning English as foreign language in Pakistan; this study also offered a model to be followed by the policy makers and practitioners in order to make the existing English language textbook more effectives in terms of foreign language teaching and learning and language skill development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-306
Author(s):  
Ueverson Mendes Oliveira

This article deals with the reasons that may influence the English language teaching and learning failure in the public school context. This research aimed to understand the factors that can influence the malfunction in the interaction between teacher and student in the classroom. Theoretical contributions to the teaching of English as a foreign language were used to understand the ways that the teaching has been understood. The data presented were obtained through a search in the available academic material concerning English language teaching in public schools. Three factors were found and highlighted as meaningful and which are directly hooked to the English learning and teaching failure.


Author(s):  
Bilal Ozkan

The aim of this study is to investigate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions about thepossible integration of Virtual Reality (VR) tools into English Language Teaching (ELT). The Study highlights theuse of VR technology in teaching and learning process and its effect on the quality of lessons by consideringConstructivist Approach. The study was held among EFL teachers in Intensive English Language Program atInternational Black Sea University. The participants of the study were 10 EFL teachers who participated for fourweeks in VR workshop sessions, two hours per week. Qualitative and Quantitative approaches were adopted tocollect the data considering teachers’ perceptions towards using the VR for learning and teaching purposes. Afterthe completion of the workshop sessions, the data were obtained from questionnaires and interviews. The resultsshow that the VR tools in classrooms may have significant positive effects on class motivation. The participants ofthe study also developed positive attitudes towards VR tools although they did not have any experience of usingVR technology before. The results of the study also suggest that applying VR in EFL classes may increase students’autonomy and responsibility for their studies. Furthermore, the study reveals teachers’ positive experiences usingVR in EFL classes enhances their level of technology usage in class.


Author(s):  
Tatiana Yurievna Aikina ◽  
Olga Mikhailovna Zubkova

The article deals with teaching English as a foreign language with the use of modern Internet technologies. The emphasis is upon the online application Voki and beneficial ways to implement it in the classroom. The article also presents an overview of classroom activities using Voki aimed at developing students’ communication skills.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103
Author(s):  
Hartono Hartono ◽  
Suparto Suparto ◽  
Ahdi Hassan

This article is intended to highlight the linguistic principle proposed by anthropological linguists, “Language is a mirror of the culture.” The purpose of study attempts to explore foreign language teaching and learning from the perspective of language shapes thought and to improve language learning through a cross a cross-cultural communication. The first part of this article, the linguistic principle, is reflected in the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis or the Whorfian hypothesis briefly highlighted. Second part focuses on the practical use of the Whorfian hypothesis for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), especially cross culture understanding (CCU) and the English teaching for specific purposes (ESP).


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28
Author(s):  
Nurul An-Nisa ◽  
Giarni Alfi Astika ◽  
Tono Suwartono

At present, the development of technology has increasingly advanced. This situation requires millennial to apply technology in every area of ​​life. It makes millennial generation very dependent on technology. Technology plays an important role in education context especially in English language teaching. The presence of technology makes teachers and students easier to get learning material and develop learning instructions. They can use any media technology to support the success of teaching and learning activities. There are various media applications that can be used to help the English teaching process both in the classroom and outside the classroom. In the use of electronic media applications in the learning process called e-learning. Teachers must be able to choose activities that are creative and innovative. It can make teaching activity more interesting and not get bored. This article discusses about the relationship among millennial, technology, and English language teaching to create great teachers in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 01
Author(s):  
Isry Laila Syathroh ◽  
Bachrudin - Musthafa ◽  
Pupung - Purnawarman

Since 1960, technology has been used as one of educational tools to help teachers in teaching learning process. In the context of foreign language teaching, technology is utilized for various reasons and purposes. A questionnaire was distributed to 150 English as foreign Language (EFL) teachers in West Java to investigate the use of technology in their EFL classroom. Specifically, this paper reports the type of technology which teachers usually use in teaching English and also elaborate the reasons why teachers apply technology in their classrooms. Finally, this paper explores teachers’ attitudes on the use of technology in language teaching.


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